‘We Were Still the More Penalized Team’ — Alabama Fans Push Back on Alabama Officiating Complaints After Georgia’s 20-17 Win at Bryant-Denny

No pass interference flag flew on Alabama’s final throw to the end zone, and No. 2 Georgia held on to beat the No. 6 Crimson Tide 20-17 on Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

With Alabama down three and under four minutes left, quarterback Keelon Russell went deep for receiver Rico Scott on second-and-10, and Georgia defensive back KJ Bolden made contact with Scott as the pass was broken up.

Russell was sacked for a 9-yard loss on the next play, pushing Alabama out of field-goal range, and the Crimson Tide punted and never got the ball back.

Kalen DeBoer Says He Got No Explanation for Pass Interference No-Call

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer screamed toward officials from the sideline after the no-call, and the crowd of 100,077 kept up a steady chorus of boos.

One fan argued that Bolden was locked on the receiver instead of the football. “If he was playing the ball, it would have been an interception.”

ESPN/ABC rules analyst Matt Austin said a close-up view, which he had not seen when he first commented, showed Bolden was not playing the ball and got there early. He said the play should have been called pass interference.

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Another fan questioned the crew’s consistency. “They had made the same PI call in favor of Georgia earlier in the 2nd half.”

“We can’t put the game in that situation where the officials come into play,” DeBoer said at his postgame news conference.

DeBoer added that Alabama had to control the things it could control, and he said he did not get an explanation from the officials about why no flag was thrown.

Sure, the late no-call was the flashpoint, but jabs at the crew started long before the fourth quarter. During the first half, another fan reacted to a side judge’s spot with “What a spot from the side judge here” and a laughing emoji.

In the third quarter, officials overturned an apparent interception by Alabama linebacker QB Reese on review and ruled the pass incomplete. ABC analyst Kirk Herbstreit questioned the reversal, saying there was no definitive proof the ball hit the turf rather than Reese’s wrist.

Another fan was sure the pick should have stood. “Bama robbed on this one. That’s a pick.”

Then came a fourth-quarter hit that knocked the ball loose from Alabama receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams on third down and drew no targeting flag. USA Today reported the hit came from Georgia defensive back Demello Jones, and Alabama punted after a false start on fourth down.

Coleman-Williams, who had left in the second quarter and returned, was helped off after a hard hit to the head and did not return. “Ryan’s got a head injury,” DeBoer said after the game. In Pro Football Network’s grading, Coleman-Williams’ PFN Impact grade of 89.1 this season ranks tied for 21st of 718 graded and qualified FBS wide receivers.

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Still, not everyone saw a one-sided night, and another fan pushed back on the complaints. “You’ve been benefiting from the ref show for years, it didn’t go your way for once. We were still the more penalized team.”

The box score backs that last point, with Georgia flagged seven times for 57 yards to Alabama’s five for 50. A penalty on Alabama’s Dijon Lee Jr. then gave Georgia the first down it needed to kneel out the clock.

Looking Ahead in Week 7 to Tennessee

The loss dropped Alabama to 5-1, but PFN’s College Football Playoff Meter still gives the Crimson Tide an 85.4% chance to make the playoff as of October 10.

Alabama visits Tennessee on Saturday in Week 7, the same day Georgia (6-0) hosts Auburn. PFN’s College Football Playoff Meter gives Alabama a 71.4% chance to win in Knoxville, and a win would lift its playoff odds to 93.7%, while a loss would drop them to 64.6%.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.